Intelligence

National intelligence systems

It is likely that during the Cold War some national intelligence systems, especially those in the major countries, grew beyond their optimal size. Some countries also have experienced problems controlling their intelligence systems. In both democracies and authoritarian societies, these organizations are in a position to demand that their operations and the information they collect be kept secret, not only from the public but also from most government officials. The need for secrecy obviously makes adequate oversight difficult to achieve. Moreover, secret services historically have been used as vehicles of political conspiracy and intrigue. In part because ... (100 of 10,882 words)